Charter school officer accused of stealing more than $75K from school

Authorities allege Kathleen Patacsil stole more than $75,000 between 2014 and 2015.

Kathleen PatacsilPassaic County Prosecutor's Office 

PATERSON -- An officer at a charter school in Paterson has been charged with stealing more than $75,000 from the school, authorities said.

Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes and Paterson acting police Chief William Fraher jointly announced the arrest on Wednesday of Kathleen E. Patacsil, the chief operating officer and board secretary for the Community Charter School of Paterson.

The acting chief and the prosecutor said Patacsil, who oversaw payroll for the school, is accused of diverting more than $75,000 of school funds to herself between 2014 and 2015.

Patacsil, 51, of Lodi, was arrested without incident on Wednesday in Totowa and was charged with theft by deception. After she posted her $35,000 bail, Patacsil waived her first appearance in Superior Court, which was scheduled for Friday.

If convicted of the charge, Patacsil faces up to 10 years in prison.

The investigation is continuing, authorities said.

MaryAnn Spoto may be reached at mspoto@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @MaryAnnSpoto. Find NJ.com on Facebook.